The Breath of Love - Daphne du Maurier

Odella Wayne and her maid Emily go shopping in Portsmouth, and from their carriage they watch a circus parade marching down the main street. They see a fortune teller, Madame Zosina, wrapped in sparkling veils and yashmak, and Emily yearns to know her future. While waiting her turn in the tent, Odella is startled to hear Madame Zosina slyly ask a sailor for the name of her ship and the time it is due to sail for France. She decides to ask the Earl of Portsmouth, the head of the county, what should be done to prevent the ship from being sunk by its enemies.